A REFORM of the laws in the private rented sector will remove the fear of eviction and help tenants to assert their rights, ministers have claimed.

A Scottish Government consultation has proposed a major overhaul of legislation surrounding private tenancies, with the current repossession clause allowing landlords to reclaim their property simply because a fixed rental term has ended, to be scrapped.

Tenants will also be protected against major rent hikes by taking unjustified rises to arbitration.

Meanwhile, landlords will have a new raft of grounds to use if they wish to regain possession of their property, including a new measures if they wish to sell.

Measures may also be introduced to combat excessive increases in hot-spot areas such as Aberdeen and the Lothians.

Final proposals will be included in a Bill to be laid before Parliament this autumn.

Housing minister Margaret Burgess said: "These changes to existing tenancy laws are designed to improve security for tenants and provide safeguards for landlords, investors and lenders.

"Our vision is for a private rented sector that provides good quality homes and high management standards, inspires consumer confidence, and encourages growth through attracting increased investment.

"By creating a new and simplified system we will have better property management, while tenants and landlords will be provided with more clarity and a better understanding of what the tenancy agreement means for them.

"Tenants will have more security and can no longer be asked to leave their home simply because their tenancy agreement has reached its end date. They can assert their rights without fear of eviction."